Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs
In our society today, there is a great deal of discord within our society. More emphasis is placed on the differences between one another than on the ways that we are similar and connected. St. Paul reminds us in today’s reading that we are all equals. No one is better than another, and we are all in need of God’s grace and mercy.
In today’s first reading, St. Paul reminds his readers there are no distinctions between one person and the next- “all have sinned.” This provides a commonality among all people, so there can be no room for boasting that one is better than the next. We are all broken and we are all in need of God’s grace and mercy. St. Paul is aware of the dissension between the Jews and Gentiles throughout his ministry, and this requires him to send letters admonishing the early Christian communities. Even back in the first century people were self-righteous and trying to find ways to dominate and exclude others.
As I read this scripture, I stopped to reflect on the ways that I can learn and grow from St. Paul’s teachings. When dealing with others, (particularly those that I find difficult or those with very different opinions), I am invited to see the ways that we are similar. We are sinners, both in need God’s grace and mercy, and neither of us have all the right answers. When I focus on the traits that we share, it softens my heart to be more compassionate and receptive. Hopefully, I am less likely to be self-righteous and judge the other as wrong or evil.
St. Ignatius of Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises suggests a concept called the “Presupposition” (or sometimes referred to as the Plus Sign) to help put this lesson into practice. This rule states “it should be presupposed that every good Christian ought to be more eager to put a good interpretation on a neighbor’s statement than to condemn it.” In simple terms, it means to give the other the benefit of the doubt. Although this idea was created for use during spiritual direction, using this in our daily living could have many benefits.
How might we bring the Plus Sign into our daily encounters? When we have humility (admitting I do not know all of the answers) , generosity (realizing the person I am talking with is a brother/ sister in Christ doing the best he/ she is able to do), offer deep and attentive listening (really listening to what is being said, instead of thinking of what your rebuttal might be), and ask questions for clarity and understanding (ask the other to better define their opinion) we can move towards an attitude where we truly give the other person the benefit of the doubt. You could apply this approach to social media situations as well, by not immediately pressing “send” and instead act with humility, generosity, really trying to hear the other, and asking questions to help better understand the other’s position. If there is truly need for correction in these encounters, it needs to be done in love not judgment or anger.
Practicing The Plus Sign (Presupposition) in our daily encounters is only possible through God’s grace. When we recognize our common brokenness and need for healing, we seek God’s grace and mercy. Through God’s compassionate love for us, we learn how to engage others by taking time to listen, learn, and care. I imagine that when I am facing a difficult situation, I would pray for God’s grace to guide me to see and act with Christ-like love. The goal of the conversation would not be to prove a point, to win the argument ,or to say the other person is wrong- the purpose would be to realize how we are connected and equal in the eyes of God.
Loving Father, Jesus shows us that Your love is immense. As our creator, we are all Your children. Send us Your Spirit so we may recognize our common connections and treat each other with humility and generous compassion. May we seek to be Your Presence in all we think, say and do. We ask this in Christ’s name. AMEN
-Marylynn Herchline